Bracketbusters

[SubGod22]

I think Bracketbuster is good for WSU: usually WSU plays against 2 good teams in a year. Remember coaches said it's hard to schedule a good team. I don't understand why some posters are against Bracketbuster? :innocent:

Because WSU can get a 1 for 1 with Northern Arizona and Cleveland State any time they want. Further, we probably could get a 1-1 with Butler every year instead of Bracketbusters.

I wish we were more successful at getting those types of games. We still have a few too many really weak teams scheduled. Tulsa should help and we just finished up with Tech and TCU. But I'd like to see us work a few more out. Any Texas team and someone in the South or someone who'll get us on ESPN

[T.VuOP]

Because WSU can get a 1 for 1 with Northern Arizona and Cleveland State any time they want. Further, we probably could get a 1-1 with Butler every year instead of Bracketbusters.

Didn't you talk to the staff about this? I'm excited! ;-)

[Smooth007]

Because WSU can get a 1 for 1 with Northern Arizona and Cleveland State any time they want. Further, we probably could get a 1-1 with Butler every year instead of Bracketbusters.

Didn't you talk to the staff about this? I'm excited! ;-)

Bulter plays multiple MVC schools every year under 1-1 circumstances due to regional location. See list since 2005....

Bradley - 4 games
Evansville - 4 games
Indiana State - 4 games
Drake - 2 games

I think I am missing one team also. There is no reason Butler would pass on WSU and vice-versa IMO. JUST IMO.

[ShockTalk]

A question for the gurus of the board, what does the oracle say as to our match-up probabilities; who (other than Butler) is likely to be a boost not only this season but next? I'll hang-up and listen.

Go Shocks!

I'll bump your good question. It got kind of lost with the post and its rebuttals that followed. I don't have the answer, but I'm interested.

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Because WSU can get a 1 for 1 with Northern Arizona and Cleveland State any time they want. Further, we probably could get a 1-1 with Butler every year instead of Bracketbusters.

Didn't you talk to the staff about this? I'm excited! ;-)

Bulter plays multiple MVC schools every year under 1-1 circumstances due to regional location. See list since 2005....

Bradley - 4 games
Evansville - 4 games
Indiana State - 4 games
Drake - 2 games

I think I am missing one team also. There is no reason Butler would pass on WSU and vice-versa IMO. JUST IMO.

Wasnt Drake due to the Bracketbuster game not necessarily "oh hey lets schedule these guys"?

[rrshock]

Here is a breakdown using both the RPI and Pomeroy with the Top 8 Matchups

Using the RPI......
1. William & Mary-26 at Butler-16
2. Old Dominion-38 at Northern Iowa-18
3. Siena-41 at Virginia Commonwealth-47
4. Wichita State-51 at Northeastern-61
5. Western Carolina-55 at Missouri State-59
6. Louisiana Tech-66 at Murray State-77
7. Nevada-67 at Kent State-78
8. Long Beach State-79 at Utah State-86

Using the Pomeroy Ratings.....
1. Old Dominion-29 at Butler-32
2. Wichita State-57 at Utah State-43
3. Siena-59 at Northern Iowa-40- I doubt they would do this since they have already played each other this year.
4. Nevada-67 at Murray State-52
5. William & Mary-68 at Missouri State-80
6. Wright State-69 at Virginia Commonwealth-71
7. Louisiana Tech-70 at Northeastern-87
8. Akron-96 at Illinois State-94

I would hope that ESPN goes for not only good RPI matchups, but also good for TV matchups. A 20-3 team heading into Butler would make for good TV. Of course a 20-3 team going into any decent place would make or a good TV game too.

Here's to hoping that those schools back east start beating up on each other to help WSU move up a slot or two. I'd like to see Butler or VCU make a return trip here next year. A game with Butler would especially be nice for a non-con game downtown.

[shocks771]

I am thinking that ESPN will pick Siena at Butler as the marquee matchup. I think they will find that matchup very attractive since both Butler and Siena have been in the NCAA Tournament for the past two seasons. Hell, Siena has made it to the 2nd round of the tournament the past two years. Just for that reason I'm rooting for Fairfield to upset Siena on Saturday to drop them down a notch. If that can happen and we can go 4-1 at worst over our next five games we have a shot at getting Butler. If we don't get them I agree with the others who have said VCU. I would be happy with either of those schools.

[ShockTalk]

I am thinking that ESPN will pick Siena at Butler as the marquee matchup. I think they will find that matchup very attractive since both Butler and Siena have been in the NCAA Tournament for the past two seasons. Hell, Siena has made it to the 2nd round of the tournament the past two years. Just for that reason I'm rooting for Fairfield to upset Siena on Saturday to drop them down a notch. If that can happen and we can go 4-1 at worst over our next five games we have a shot at getting Butler. If we don't get them I agree with the others who have said VCU. I would be happy with either of those schools.

Wouldn't that defeat the "purpose" of bracketbusters? Isn't the idea to showcase teams that might not make it in otherwise? Butler and Siena are probably getting in anyway. Having Wichita State play Butler gives another mid-major a shot. I know, money talks, even at the non-BCS level.

[rrshock]

[quote="ShockTalk"]

Wouldn't that defeat the "purpose" of bracketbusters? Isn't the idea to showcase teams that might not make it in otherwise? Butler and Siena are probably getting in anyway. Having Wichita State play Butler gives another mid-major a shot. I know, money talks, even at the non-BCS level.

And the MVC has more money to throw around than the other conferences that participate in this event. The MVC will probably get 3 of the "big" games in this event, like it typically does.